Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis

Alison Curtis is joined live in studio by Vicki Notaro — podcaster, broadcaster and bestselling author — for a chat packed with laughs, life, and a little bit of home-reno realness (minimalist vs maximalist!).

Vicki talks about her third novel, 'Anywhere But Here'. It focuses on female friendships, identity, and that “crossroads” moment many women feel around 40 — with freedom, choice, and pressure all colliding.

They also dig into comparison culture, Instagram’s happiness-leaching scroll, public scandal, and why Donegal is the perfect escape… even when your problems follow you!

Plus: writing advice, publishing nerves, and the crucial question — Mayo or Kerry?

NOTE: BOTH Alison and Vicki forgot to bring the book for the obligitary photo with book! So they have invisible copies!! :-D

10-year-old Oisín and his lovely family (including teeny tiny 1 year old brother Cian!) popped into studio to tell Alison Curtis ahead of what he calls “the best day ever” — walking out onto the pitch at Croke Park as the All-Ireland Football Final flag bearer, chosen by The Dave Moore Show in a competition with AIB.

Oisin’s GAA club is Erin’s Own ---- Started Hurling with the club at the age 4 and played in goal and most recently in the forwards. He loves his club with a passion.

He has been practicing with his large Kilkenny Flag walking around the house and garden !!

Plus, mum Laura and the family join in as Oisín gets surprise voice notes from friends, teammates and a very special message from one of his Kilkenny heroes!!.

Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman joins Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast for a warm chat about saying goodbye after 10 years with her beloved Nick and Charlie — and the mix of emotions that comes with finally closing out the story the way she always wanted to tell.

Alice reflects on being a teenager when she got her first book deal, and the unexpected impact Heartstopper has had: getting reluctant readers into books, and giving LGBTQ+ fans representation that feels genuinely positive and supportive.

They also talk writing teenagers as “human beings”, why teens today seem more capable than ever, the new Heartstopper Netflix movie, and Alice’s first-ever Irish signing in Dublin (500 books later!).

FAWLTY TOWERS THE PLAY at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre – one week only - Tuesday 28th   July until Saturday 1st   August. TICKETS ON SALE NOW. Ticketmaster.ie

·       It’s just over 50 years since Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975 - Two seasons of six episodes each.

·       Last Year on its 50th anniversary The Guardian called it “A perfectly calibrated Swiss watch of cringe… the comedy equivalent of an extremely hot chilli: delicious but a little goes a long way!”  and that “it remains the greatest ever sitcom.”

·       The director of Fawlty Towers season 2 --- Bob Spiers ---- went on to direct Spice World: The Movie in 2007!!!

·       Bea Arthur played Basil Fawlty in one version, and a young Steve Carrell played Manuel  in another. 

·       Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant refused to make a third series of either The Office or Extras, citing Fawlty Towers' short lifespan.

·       Armando Iannucci: Creator of The Thick of It and Veep, has praised the rapid-fire, escalating panic of Basil Fawlty as a massive influence on his own frantic and beleaguered political characters.

Anna Daly is in for Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast and she has two bold brats in studio as she welcomes Irish rugby legend Gordon D’Arcy and writer Paul Howard for a chat that starts with World Cup sleep deprivation!

The writing duo are back with 'Let’s Play Football', an interactive, co-reading adventure where kids take the free kicks, dodge setbacks, and lift the trophy at the end — with Ash Chacko's fabulous video-game-style illustrations bringing the match to life.

Plus, Paul talks Bad Sisters: how Sharon Horgan brought him into the writers’ room, and why Ireland has never looked better on screen.

TV and radio personality, designer, speaker, activist, documentarian --- "maker of things" --- the fabulous Brendan Courtney joined Shelly Gray (in for Alison) on Weekend Breakfast for a Pride Month chat.

Brendan spills the details on the GCN ( Gay Community News) Roast Battle Royale, at the Abbey Theatre on Sunday 21st June — a one-night-only, no-filter and feral comedy fundraiser celebrating community and 40 years of GCN.

It features a killer lineup including Emma Doran, Shane Daniel Byrne, Gearóid Farrelly, Andrea Horan, Niamh Kavanagh, and more.

He explains why Pride is still a passive protest, but also why Ireland can be a beacon of hope globally.

Shelly Gray is in for Alison on Weekend Breakfast, and she spoke to Munster and Ireland rugby legend Simon Zebo.

Simon is the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival Ambassador, celebrating its 10th anniversary today June 13.

He tells Shelly his love for the gorgeous Clonakilty — his family life - will the kids take after him on the rugby pitch? - his new favourite loves... Podcasts and Padel!

Simon also talks retired life: rugby punditry with “no filter”, the odd angry message, and how he’s keeping busy with golf, and five-a-side — plus his reaction to the James Lowe news.

Friends of the show, Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian joined Alison on Weekend Breakfast to share the latest life updates - including if they want to host The Six O'Clock Show together.

They also chatted all about parenting styles and who Alison aligns with more and the importance of charities, as the guys are supporting the AIB Community €1 Million Fund.

OMG What A Complete Aisling! legends Sarah Breen and Eimear McLysaght join Alison in studio, and the excitement is real — Alison stayed up far too late because she couldn’t put their brand new novel down!

They chat all about Our Deadly Summer. Plot: best friends Laura and Dee, a J1 to Long Island in 2001, and a jump forward to 2025 where they’re reunited for the first time in 25 years… opening on page one with a dead body (not a spoiler!).

Emer says it's inspired by her time at an American J1 country club job - she thought it would be “Coyote Ugly” it wasn't! — plus the girls join us for a soon to be award winning quiz “eh? or nay!”

Maisie Williams joins Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast to talk about her brilliant new film 500 Miles — an emotional rollercoaster that Alison admits left her properly rattled.

They chat about Maisie taking on a Dublin accent (and absolutely nailing it!!), filming in Dublin with people who know “Dublinese” inside out, and how the accent even shifted her whole personality for the role.

Plus, Maisie shares advice for her younger co-star Dexter Sol Ansell who also stepped into the huge world of GOT as 'Egg' in Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms and what kind of advice she had for him from Arya Stark!

Plus, she teases the long awaited sequel: Practical Magic 2!!

500 Miles is in cinemas now!